Villans boss Sherwood seemed to bring the best out of the stuttering Spurs striker and could be reunited with his former frontman at Villa Park this summer, as he aims to replace Benteke swiftly (10/3 with Coral to be relegated 2015/16).

Belgium international Benteke will not feature for his current employers in the friendly against Sporting Braga in Portugal as his big-money switch to Anfield is set to be completed.

Meanwhile, Premier League champions Chelsea want to secure the signing of Serbia international striker Aleksandar Mitrovic from Anderlecht this summer, with Swansea City and Newcastle United also interested in the £15m-rated 20-year-old.

It is also believed that Blues boss Mourinho left out winger Mohamed Salah from his pre-season squad to travel to the USA, after the 23-year-old refused to join Fiorentina on loan again.

A potential departure from Stamford Bridge could be out-of-favour wideman Victor Moses, with London rivals Tottenham set to offer £8m for their target, who spent last season on loan with Stoke City.

In a bid to bolster his midfield ranks, Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino will offer Everton their 28-year-old winger Aaron Lennon plus cash, for 24-year-old Republic of Ireland international James McCarthy (13/5 to qualify for Euro 2016).

Elsewhere, French champions PSG continue to be linked with a move for Manchester United’s Argentina attacker Angel di Maria, despite claiming he wants to remain at Old Trafford. The 27-year-old is being tracked by Laurent Blanc’s Ligue 1 champions but are unwilling to allow Edinson Cavani to go in the opposite direction as part of any deal.

In Germany, reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are reportedly upping their interest in Juventus’ sought-after midfielder Arturo Vidal, as they prepare a £28m offer for the 28-year-old Turin maestro.